Rack and cabinet accessories are the add-ons used to equip network and server cabinets: typically shelves, blanking panels, cable management, fans, power distribution units and mounting hardware. Over 4,500 products suit IT administrators, installers and small businesses fitting out a comms room. Leading brands include SCHROFF, RITTAL, EFB-Elektronik and DSIT.
How to choose rack and cabinet accessories
Standard and dimensions. Most network and server cabinets follow the 19-inch standard, with height measured in rack units (U). Check how many U you have free and the depth of the cabinet, because a deep shelf or power unit can foul the doors or equipment already installed. Also look at the mounting holes in your cabinet's rails.
Function. Decide first what the part has to do: hold equipment (shelves, rails), cover gaps (blanking panels), tidy cables (cable management panels, brush entries) or supply power and cooling (power distribution units, fan modules). Blanking panels also stop air recirculating between the front and rear of the cabinet, which helps equipment stay cool.
Load and fixing. Load ratings for shelves and rails vary widely: a network switch needs little, while a server or UPS calls for a reinforced shelf or sliding rails. Confirm whether your cabinet uses square cage nuts, threaded holes or plain screws, since mismatched hardware causes a lot of frustration during installation.
Power and cables. For a power unit, look at the number and type of sockets, the plug standard and the maximum rated current. For cable management, consider how many cables there will be, how bulky they get and whether you will leave room for future connections.
Colour. Black is the most common colour in our range (over 400 products), followed by grey, white, silver, light grey and blue. Matching the cabinet matters mainly when parts are visible through a glass door or the rack stands in an open room.
Brands we carry
- SCHROFF: known for electronics enclosures and 19-inch subrack systems used in industry and laboratories.
- RITTAL: a German maker of industrial enclosures and IT racks, with a large system of matching accessories.
- LEGRAND: a French group known for electrical and data network infrastructure.
- TRITON: a Polish manufacturer of racks and cabinets, with accessories to go with them.
- DIGITUS: a supplier of network cabling and rack accessories aimed at IT installations.
- EFB-Elektronik: a German supplier known for cables and connection technology.
- DELOCK and ROLINE: known for cables, adapters and connection accessories that come in handy when adding new devices to a cabinet.
Also in our range: ALLNET, DSIT, LANVIEW and IT-BUDGET.
Frequently asked questions about rack and cabinet accessories
What does U mean in rack accessories?
U stands for rack unit, which is 44.45 mm (1.75 inches). In a standard 19-inch cabinet, equipment and accessories are measured in these units. For example, a 2U panel takes up about 89 mm of cabinet height.
Do I need blanking panels in a server rack?
In most cases yes, although nothing strictly forces you to. Open empty slots let warm air flow from the rear back to the front, so equipment may cool less effectively. Blanking panels also give the cabinet a tidier look.
Will accessories from another manufacturer fit my cabinet?
Often they will, provided both follow the 19-inch standard. Check the type of mounting holes (square, round or threaded) and the cabinet depth. Some systems use proprietary parts that only suit cabinets from the same maker.
How do I choose a shelf for a rack?
Choose by the weight of the equipment and the depth of the cabinet. The shelf should be slightly shallower than the cabinet so the door still closes, and heavy equipment is better served by four-point mounting or sliding rails. If the device runs warm, a perforated shelf allows better airflow.
